Would you swap seats in a cinema if empty

[Ttcagainnow]

Say you booked the cheapest seat in the cinema but when there it's pretty much empty, would you seat in a VIP seat?

YABU - no, stick to the normal seat that you paid for.

YANBU - yes, go for it.

Yes always, but about 20 minutes in as I'd die if I was in someone's seat and they were just a bit late 🤣

If it was at least 15 minutes into the movie and the VIP seat was right next to me so I could just scooch over, probably yes. If I had to fuss around gathering up all my stuff and moving rows and resettling and generally being obnoxious to others, no.

Yes, it's fine. If the cinema's nearly empty, you're not taking a seat away from anyone else. Also, the staff don't care in the slightest where you sit.

I've watched films in cinemas where there's only been three or four other people in the audience, and you can bet your life I sat in a VIP seat!

I think it's ok to swap seats in your price range. Cheeky to give yourself a free upgrade.

It never occurred to me to do this, especially because I don't think you really get a better view from the VIP seats.

But next time we will definitely do it, just for the thrill

I didn't even know cinemas had VIP seats.

I voted no because you haven't paid for it. It's like wandering into first class on an aeroplane and saying 'oh there's a free seat here' and plonking yourself down.

It's fine if nobody is sitting in them. Cinema is obscenely expensive. Cost me £70, taking my 3 children a few weeks ago.

What does annoy me is when someone sits in your VIP seat and you have to tell them to move. This happened to me - I said 'excuse me, you're in our seats' and the people moved, whilst complaining 'we've been downgraded'.

Personally no as its kind of theft (albeit victimless) but I don't judge people who do it.

No. It's cheeky. If you want a VIP seat, pay for it

Yep! Did it once and this exact thing happened. Karma me thinks!! 😂

Yep! We deliberately wait until a film has been out a while then book cheapo seats then move to the posh ones. Every time.

and take our own sweets

Our local Vue's staff come in and ask to see your ticket if you sit in the VIP seats. I'd die of shame so would not do it. If they don't care at yours then go ahead 😀

I would but in my local Showcase cinema I don't need to, all the seats are comfy AF with great views <smug>

No but I am someone who feels really uncomfortable not doing the 'right' thing.
My DC once spilled a large drink all over our seats and even though the cinema was only half full I still went to ask if it was ok if we moved.

But they don't do that during the film, right?

That would be annoying for everyone - I'd be annoyed to pay for a VIP seat and then have someone come in halfway through to interrupt and check my ticket.

I personally wouldn't because I'm a wuss. But I don't think it's wrong. It's not like it affects anyone.

Staff come into the screen with those weird googles and check the seats at my local Vue and Cineworld. I've seen people being asked to move back to their original seats before.....mortifying!

@DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace films here always have an intermission, they check during that or right before the film starts.

The intermission thing is pain in the bum to be honest but I suppose they have to sell the sweets and gammy nachos at some point 😀

When I worked for odeon, we used to check the tickets of the people in the premier seats during the trailers and ask people to move if they were in the wrong seat.

I wouldn't move to a more expensive seat... but I'd move to a better one.
Our local cinema doesn't have vip seats. I often go abd if it's half empty I just sit where I like regardless of what seat I booked.

VIP seat - absolutely not. No more than I would go and sit in 1st Class on a train if it was empty. Taking a benefit not paid for and without permission is wrong.

Within seats of the same type I'd certainly move if I wasn't inconveniencing anyone.

They know how many VIP tickets they've sold. If that's zero and you're sitting in a VIP seat then they know you've upgraded yourself: they don't need to check your ticket.

However if I was a cinema usher or indeed manager I wouldn't kick a paying customer out in those circumstances: it really doesn't make any difference to them and I can't see that it would be worth the hassle.

I wouldn’t.
We recently booked 5 premium seats for me, dh and 3 x Gdcs, and arrived on time, to find people had plonked themselves in all 5!

Of course they had to move, but were evidently miffed.
I dare say some people see empty premium seats and think they’re unlikely to be filled, so take a chance.
The cinema was pretty packed this time though - afternoon screening of Despicable Me 4 on a wet day in the school holidays!

I haven't seen a cinema usher since the 1980s. These days the entire cinema is staffed by two 16 year olds, one selling snacks and one checking the bar code of the tickets you bought online. Once you get past the bar code checker you won't see staff again.

I don't see any harm in it, but I probably wouldn't because people often arrive late and I'd hate to be turfed out of someone else's seat during the programme